Spiritualism by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jan 19, 1864

Spiritualism.

By James White

THE following honest and truthful confession is copied from the Review and Herald of Jan. 27, 1863. It needs no comment, but will explain some things relative to the writer's position, and the labor that has been bestowed upon him. We have never known one so fully crazed by the power of the Devil which attends Spiritualism, to be fully restored to soundness of mind and faith. Let others take warning.

"NOT A UNIVERSALIST, SPIRITUALIST, NOR AN INFIDEL.

"BRO. WHITE: I see that reports are going the rounds that I have renounced Adventism, and am preaching, some say Universalism, others say Spiritualism and Infidelity. These false reports I wish to silence, and ask the privilege to correct them through the Review.

"It is true that I held a discussion in the village of Paw Paw, Mich., with a trance-speaker, or rather with some demon professing to be the spirit of Mr. Downing, speaking through W. F. Jamieson. I now doubt the propriety of discussing with such spirits. It is also true that I went to engage in that discussion without the counsel of my preaching brethren; that I went alone, and too much in my own strength, into a community where we have no church, but where Spiritualism has a strong hold. This I now regard as very imprudent in me. God's holy Spirit was grieved, and I was left in a measure to fall under the power of the Devil, and the seducing charms of Spiritualism.

"There was not only an unseen intelligence speaking through Mr. Jamieson, but there was an influence over the audience, and I am now satisfied, over myself, such as I had never before witnessed; the power of which was so strong that for several days I was not only bewildered, but was really not myself. I imagined that I was outgrowing my Advent clothes; that I was getting upon higher ground than that occupied by my brethren. In this state of mind I made some concessions to certain friendly Spiritualists, which I now very much regret.

"I now have in my own unfortunate experience the proofs of the deceptive power of Spiritualism which I have warned others against from God's word for the past five years, and can better warn others to beware of it. The arguments given through Mr. Jamieson were no stronger than those used by normal speakers with whom I have debated, but the influence I was not prepared to resist. I hope to profit by the things I have suffered, and hereafter not be ignorant of the devices of Satan.

"I am well nigh recovered from the snare of the Devil ingeniously set for me. Since the discussion referred to, I have had great freedom in presenting the evidences of Christianity, and have been happy to see several Infidels soundly converted.

"MOSES HULL.

"Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 21, 1863."